Pediatric chest

Question 1

Normal newborn lungs

Answer 1

only very slightly more opaque than normal, noticeable opacity indicates IRDS or wet lungs

Question 2

Normal newborn Cardiothoracic index

Answer 2

A normal adult cardiothoracic index should be less than 0.5
That is, the heart width should be less than half the width of the total chest cavity.

A newborns heart takes up proportionally more room.
Their cardiothoracic index is 0.55-0.62

Question 3

What big organ is in newborn CXR and not in adults

Answer 3

the Thymus.

Two assymetrical lobes.

A homogenous solid tissue,

Hypoechoic to the thyroid gland.

Question 4

Where is the newborn diaphragm

Answer 4

At mid inspiration, beteween the 8/9th rib at the back, 6th rib in the front

So is the adults.

Question 5

How do the ribs differ on newborn CXR

Answer 5

They are more horizontal and less curved than in an adult,

Question 6

Other newborn lung problems

Answer 6

Meconium aspiration syndrome - Coarse patchy and streaky alveolar consolidations/opacities.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia - resulting from prolonged mechanical ventilation, causes a necrotic bronchiolitis, seen as bronchilar inflammation on CXR.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias - abdominal organs and intestinal loops in the chest.

Question 7

Recurrent pneumonia originating near a central bronchiole indicates

Answer 7

Chronic pneumonia from foreign body aspiration.